Err...I don't know about that. [Isn't Santa married? Either way, he's not real so it probably doesn't matter.] It's just that couples usually do something together on Christmas, where I'm from.
Nah, I don't have a date. [Which is probably a good thing. His date probably would have been bored.] You're here with Peko though, yeah? How's that going?
Tch, I hope that doesn't actually surprise you. [When is Peko anything other than pleasant and polite?] I'm glad to hear it went well though. Especially since I didn't even know she could dance.
[Later he'll learn that Zara gave her lessons but for now he's just kind of surprised and oddly proud? In a way? Wow Peko, look at you go.]
[He waves a hand in front of him in a classic "no no, it's fine" gesture.]
That's okay. It's kind of a little late for that at this point. [The ball has already started and all...] Besides, dancing isn't...something I could do with Peko, even with lessons.
Ah... I may not be well-acquainted with this kind of party, but the way I have understood it, it is never too late to ask someone to dance! Until clock strikes twelve...
[He blinks uncertainly.]
But what do you mean that you could not do that with her? I am afraid that I do not understand!
Well...we're close, yeah, but...we're not friends. Not really. Peko was given to me by my family when we were both just babies, to serve as my hitman and bodyguard.
[It's evident by his tone and expression, however, that this isn't a fact he's particularly fond of. But, sadly, it IS a fact.]
She's spent her whole life thinking of herself as nothing more than a tool for my use, despite the fact that I never wanted that. Things are finally starting to change, she finally gets that I never wanted that and now she doesn't want it either, but...it's not the sort of thing that's just going to change overnight. You can't just snap your fingers and undo seventeen years worth of subservient mentality, hell she still can't even say my name in public without at least tacking a "young master" onto it. So stuff like dancing...that's not something I can do with her right now.
The situation isn't wholly unfamiliar to Lee. He's heard of cases where ninjas acted as human tools for specific people. He might know a bit about the case of Zabuza and Haku. But it still hits him hard, when he sees it applied to people he's come to know and care for. After all, a lot of people from different worlds seemed unfamiliar with the way of the ninja from his world. So he had hoped that other worlds would be spared from such treatment...
Rock Lee immediately is shedding tears.]
Peko-san... [He whines.] ...I never knew that she carried such a burden!!
These steps...! [He grips Kuzuryuu's shoulders.] I think you are making important steps, Kuzuryuu-kun!! Please treasure her! I hope that the two of you can dance someday, with all of my heart!! For tonight, I will only hope... that the two of you have some pleasant interactions!! [He says with a whimper.]
[Dammit. He didn't mean to turn on the waterworks. This wasn't supposed to happen, why is he so bad at carrying on casual conversations. If he's not utterly failing to keep it going, he's accidentally turning it to feels town. gg, Kuzuryuu.]
Maybe someday...
[Or maybe not. Peko is so much taller than he is...which is really one of his biggest beefs about dancing, when you get right down to it. Most girls are taller than him...]
Anyway, don't worry. There's no one alive more important to me than Peko. [Dead, on the other hand...different story. Either way, treasuring her is something nobody has to tell him to do twice.] And we have plenty of pleasant interactions now, here and elsewhere.
[It's only been a few weeks but there really has been a marked improvement in their interactions already. They're communicating about important things now, something they've (mostly Kuzuryuu) never done as well as they (he) should.]
Sorry, though. I didn't mean to turn the conversation to something so heavy.
[Kuzuryuu, no. Don't worry. Making Lee shed tears is no difficult accomplishment, you could have also accomplished that much by just tripping and falling.]
Ah... [He sniffs and wipes at his tears.] Your words are so heartfelt, Kuzuryuu-kun... I believe you!! And I believe in both of you... Your bond will evolve into something truly youthful!
Please do not worry. I am glad to be able to speak with you about a difficult subject! It means that we are bonding as young men, Kuzuryuu-kun. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
Heh, I guess you have a point. [He returns the fist bump. Making sure to use his left hand instead of his right, to spare Lee getting knocked by his dumb, gaudy rings.] Still though, I think next time I'll save something like this for a time that isn't in the middle of a party.
[This is supposed to be a happy occasion, dammit!]
Oh, before I drop it completely though...please don't treat Peko any differently than you have been till this point. Not that I think you would it's just...this is the first time she's ever really made friends. I don't want to mess that up for her.
[He must have really liked that hand, if he put so many rings on it.
Lee smiles as the fist-bump is returned.]
Of course not, Kuzuryuu-kun! This has been a private conversation between hot-blooded young men in the middle of an intense friendship. And I do not want to treat Peko-san any differently. If she wants to discuss anything like what you have said to me... I will wait until she is ready to bring it up herself! I look forward to showing her the ways of friendship!
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Rock Lee
Err...I don't know about that. [Isn't Santa married? Either way, he's not real so it probably doesn't matter.] It's just that couples usually do something together on Christmas, where I'm from.
I'm glad to hear you're enjoying yourself though.
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Thank you! I am glad to hear about your own enjoyment as well. Ah... Did you come here with anyone, Kuzuryuu-kun?
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Nah, I don't have a date. [Which is probably a good thing. His date probably would have been bored.] You're here with Peko though, yeah? How's that going?
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He nods with a smile.]
It is going very well! Peko-san has been very pleasant and polite, and we shared a dance that went splendidly!
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[Later he'll learn that Zara gave her lessons but for now he's just kind of surprised and oddly proud? In a way? Wow Peko, look at you go.]
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Well, she was able to dance quite well! [He nods, and after a beat...]
Ah, if you want to see for sure, you could ask her to dance as well! [A friendly suggestion!]
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In...theory that would be the best way but I don't dance, so... I'll just have to watch her instead.
[Plus other reasons that would just...no. No. Thank you for the friendly suggestion but he could not possibly do that.]
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That's okay. It's kind of a little late for that at this point. [The ball has already started and all...] Besides, dancing isn't...something I could do with Peko, even with lessons.
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[He blinks uncertainly.]
But what do you mean that you could not do that with her? I am afraid that I do not understand!
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[He sighs, scratching at the back of his neck a little.]
If you're asking that though...then I'm guessing Peko has't told you abut the sort of relationship we have, has she?
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[He shakes his head.]
All I know is that the connection that you two feel is very heartfelt! It speaks to me emotionally!!
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[It's evident by his tone and expression, however, that this isn't a fact he's particularly fond of. But, sadly, it IS a fact.]
She's spent her whole life thinking of herself as nothing more than a tool for my use, despite the fact that I never wanted that. Things are finally starting to change, she finally gets that I never wanted that and now she doesn't want it either, but...it's not the sort of thing that's just going to change overnight. You can't just snap your fingers and undo seventeen years worth of subservient mentality, hell she still can't even say my name in public without at least tacking a "young master" onto it. So stuff like dancing...that's not something I can do with her right now.
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"but... we're not friends. Not really."
The situation isn't wholly unfamiliar to Lee. He's heard of cases where ninjas acted as human tools for specific people. He might know a bit about the case of Zabuza and Haku. But it still hits him hard, when he sees it applied to people he's come to know and care for. After all, a lot of people from different worlds seemed unfamiliar with the way of the ninja from his world. So he had hoped that other worlds would be spared from such treatment...
Rock Lee immediately is shedding tears.]
Peko-san... [He whines.] ...I never knew that she carried such a burden!!
These steps...! [He grips Kuzuryuu's shoulders.] I think you are making important steps, Kuzuryuu-kun!! Please treasure her! I hope that the two of you can dance someday, with all of my heart!! For tonight, I will only hope... that the two of you have some pleasant interactions!! [He says with a whimper.]
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Maybe someday...
[Or maybe not. Peko is so much taller than he is...which is really one of his biggest beefs about dancing, when you get right down to it. Most girls are taller than him...]
Anyway, don't worry. There's no one alive more important to me than Peko. [Dead, on the other hand...different story. Either way, treasuring her is something nobody has to tell him to do twice.] And we have plenty of pleasant interactions now, here and elsewhere.
[It's only been a few weeks but there really has been a marked improvement in their interactions already. They're communicating about important things now, something they've (mostly Kuzuryuu) never done as well as they (he) should.]
Sorry, though. I didn't mean to turn the conversation to something so heavy.
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Ah... [He sniffs and wipes at his tears.] Your words are so heartfelt, Kuzuryuu-kun... I believe you!! And I believe in both of you... Your bond will evolve into something truly youthful!
Please do not worry. I am glad to be able to speak with you about a difficult subject! It means that we are bonding as young men, Kuzuryuu-kun. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise!
[Rock Lee presents his fist for a fistbump.]
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dumb, gaudyrings.] Still though, I think next time I'll save something like this for a time that isn't in the middle of a party.[This is supposed to be a happy occasion, dammit!]
Oh, before I drop it completely though...please don't treat Peko any differently than you have been till this point. Not that I think you would it's just...this is the first time she's ever really made friends. I don't want to mess that up for her.
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Lee smiles as the fist-bump is returned.]
Of course not, Kuzuryuu-kun! This has been a private conversation between hot-blooded young men in the middle of an intense friendship. And I do not want to treat Peko-san any differently. If she wants to discuss anything like what you have said to me... I will wait until she is ready to bring it up herself! I look forward to showing her the ways of friendship!